question about activators

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I have a touch up to do on the upper half of my door. there's a rather nasty ding I want to fill, use high build primer around, then epoxy primer, base coat, and then clear,

Here's the problem. I have the high build primer, the epoxy primer, and the base coat. (need more clear) My painting project was summer of 2011, so any activator I have left (only the high build) is out of date I'm sure.

I need just a few ounces of each of the activators. I hate buying a quart of each when I don't have any other painting projects coming up.

here's the stupid question. Is there a universal activator for base coat and clear? Should I just forget about the high build and epoxy for a door ding and just buy a can of eastwood epoxy in a spray can?
 
here's some more information I left out

My base coat is prospray brand

my activator I have left for the high build has been kept sealed inside the house. Climate controlled obviously

the activator I have left for my epoxy is at a friends house, probably in his garage. we split the cost of a gallon

Mainly wanting to know if there is an activator I can buy that will work with both SPI universal and prospray basecoat
 
The activator for the universal is specific for that clear, but you can use it to activate the basecoat .

As for the rest of the activators I believe the epoxy one at your friend's garage will be stable and ready to be used. The one I'd worry about is the high build primer activator, that you might need new.
 
thanks! good news about the base coat

just wondering... why would the activator for the high build be less stable than the epoxy, when it's been kept between 70 and 80 degrees? Is the epoxt activator more hardy and holds up longer?
 
You can use spi reducer with pro-spray base. I believe that the 2k primer surface high-build uses an isocyanate based activator, which is more susceptible to moisture absorption, while the epoxy hardener is not isocyanate based. If the hardener looks good and isn't seedy looking, mix up a small amount in a cup and see if it cures out, it may be fine. You can also mix some of the primer and spray on a scrap piece, and see how it sprays, if activator is bad, it won't lay out properly. Barry would be able to provide you with a more technical response..I hope this helps, Dan.
 
it does, thanks for all the help

I can use the either primer, I don't expect to have to need to use the features of the high build, though I want to make sure my filler is smooth
 
Very good chance the high build activator is still good, on a small spot, not so sure I would be afraid to use it to find out. 60% chance you are good.
 
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